Starseed

by Jude Willhoff

  “Goodness, all that oil is for one person?” Elle stared out the window at the huge stacks, noting the two men loading the truck were the ones who had caused Herman so much grief at the diner the other day.

  Sara casually picked up one of the cans reading the label. “I thought you were going to have some kind of big sale,” she said to Bruce.

  “Nope, that's for the High Mountain Array,” he said and grinned. “They go through that much every month.”

  “Wow, that's a lot.” Elle glanced at the oil then turned to Bruce. “So what's the word on my car?”

  “I have it out back, but the alternator won't be in until the delivery truck comes through town in a couple of days.” He chewed on an unlit cigar in the corner of his mouth he’d been chomping on for weeks in an attempt to quit smoking. “And I have another job to do before I can get to yours.” He bit down on the stale stogie. “I can have it to you by the end of the week. Will that work?”

  “Yes, that's fine,” Elle said. “Sara is being my chauffeur this week and I kind of like it.”

  “That settles it. You can pick it up Friday afternoon.”

  “Great. Thanks, Bruce.” He followed them out of the station and over to the men loading Bill's supplies.

  “I can't imagine what they do with that much oil,” Sara said.

  “Me either, especially because I don’t think it's the kind that's used in heavy equipment.” Elle counted the cases in her mind. “We'll have to ask Kole, the man who isn't interested in me.”

  “You should be ashamed of yourself.” Sara laughed. “Kole's okay. I like him. And how do you know about the different kinds of oil?”

  “I took a course in auto mechanics one year and that stuff was covered.” She frowned. “I wonder what they use that much oil on.”

  “Maybe, they use it on the huge hydraulics to move the disks around. We'll have to ask when we go out there later,” Sara said.

  “Or perhaps Kole can figure it out.”

  “Yeah, maybe.” Elle walked down the street toward the cafe trying to ignore the feelings she had for Kole. No matter how much she fought it and thought things through, it came back around to the fact she was highly attracted to him. “The man drives me crazy and I barely know him.”

  “You're awfully hard on him.” Sara snickered. “Now, I ask myself, why is that? Do you like him?”

  “No. Absolutely not. He'd be the last man on Earth I'd go out with.” She knew she was lying to herself, but her pride wouldn’t let her admit it to Sara.

  “Me thinks you protest too much.” Sara giggled.

  “Well, whether I'm attracted to him or not, it doesn't matter. He had the nerve to sit there in my styling chair and tell me he's not into me and just wants to be my friend.” She snorted. “Maybe it's me, but that was kind of harsh. I didn’t make a pass at him or anything. Talk about having an ego.”

  “Look at the positive side. He was being honest so you don't have to waste any time.”

  Elle glared at her.

  “Not that you wanted to spend any time with him.” Sara tried to back pedal. “You know what I mean?”

  “I suppose.” Elle relented. “Anyway, let's get back to the diner and grab something to drink before he shows up. I wouldn't want him upset with us for being late before we leave town.”

  “Good idea. I could use a Coke and fries.”

  As they entered the diner, a bell over the door started jingling, letting Dotty know someone had come into the empty cafe.

  “Hey, Dotty, it's only us,” Sara said.

  Dotty came out of the back room looking flustered and straightened her blouse. “Girls, what would you like?”

  Elle raised an eyebrow, but decided not to mention it. “A couple of Diet Cokes and some fries. We're waiting for a friend.” She sensed that they had interrupted something.

  “Okay, two Diet Cokes and fries coming right up,” Dotty said, filling the glasses with ice.

  “Where is everyone?” Sara asked.

  “Oh, the breakfast and lunch crowd have already been and gone. It's slow on Sunday afternoons. I like it this way.” She set the Cokes in front of them. “I heard you were going out to the High Mountain Array. That should be fun on such a nice day.”

  “Where did you hear that?” How the heck did the town grapevine work so darn fast? Elle hadn't said anything to anyone.

  “Oh, Kole has been in for meals every day since he got to town. Thanks for telling him about my place. He's a nice guy and has a hearty appetite, loves my apple pie. Comes in a couple of times a day for it.” She chewed her gum and blew a bubble and popped it. “He was in late last night for a slice and mentioned it. I think he's sweet.” She grinned. “Hey, maybe your picture will get in the magazine.”

  “Oh, I hadn't thought of that.” Elle raised her eyes toward Sara. “There you go. Get your name in print. What do you say?”

  “I say no thank you. I'm game to go out there with you, but no pictures. I take horrible pictures and under no circumstances will I allow one in a magazine that goes all over the country. No way. No how.” Sara's stubborn chin jutted out in defiance.

  “Sweetie, think of the good-looking men who would see your picture.” Dotty batted her fake eyelashes. “Why, they would be flocking to Sweetwater in droves. We'd have to beat them off with a broom.”

  “She's right,” Elle said with authority. “We'd have to set up roadblocks to keep them out of town. I can see it now. Dad would have to hire extra deputies to hold them off.”

  “That's enough. You both know how I feel about pictures,” Sara stammered. “Stop it right now, or I'll have him take pictures of you both in your birthday suits and post them on the internet.”

  They were laughing when someone came out of the restroom. “Oh, Dotty, I didn't know you had any other customers,” Elle said. “I'm so sorry.”

  “Don't worry about it. It's only Bill. When he comes to town for supplies he always has lunch with me. I'll introduce you.” Dotty glanced toward him. “Bill, come meet my friends.” She motioned for him to come to the table. “Bill, this is Elle and Sara,” Dotty said, hanging on to his arm. “They want to come out and see the Array.”

  “Hi ladies, I saw you at the service station.” He grinned sheepishly. “I hope everything is all right with your car,” he said, genuine concern showing in his eyes.

  Elle recognized him. “Everything is fine,” she said.

  “Bruce is installing an alternator and new radiator.”

  “I see. So you want to see the Array?”

  “Yes, a friend of ours is here taking pictures for a Denver magazine and we promised to go out there with him,” Sara said. “He wants to see the huge antennas.”

  “Then by all means you must bring him out. I'd be happy to give you a personal tour.” He handed Elle his card. “I'm going straight back. Come on by, whenever you want. Ask for me at the main gate and they’ll bring you right in.”

  “That would be super. Thanks, Bill,” Elle said, trying to figure the guy out. He seemed nice on the surface, but she sensed something troubling him. “We'll take you up on your offer later this afternoon. I think we're going to Red Rock Canyon before we come to see the Array.” “I'll be there whenever you're ready. Well, ladies, I have to get along. Nice meeting you.” He turned to Dotty. “My dear, it was my pleasure as usual. I'll see you next week.” He kissed her on the cheek, tipped his Rockies baseball cap and headed out the door.

  All dreamy eyed, Dotty watched him leave and sighed.

  “Doesn't he just have the cutest butt you've ever seen?” She searched Elle's face for an instant. “I hate to ask, but I need to know. Can you tell me how he feels about me?”

  For Dotty’s sake, she’d take a peek. Elle took a deep breath and relaxed, watching the color of Dotty's aura before she spoke. “You make him laugh and he makes you happy.” She frowned and hesitated for a heartbeat. “There are obstacles, but they will be overcome.” She swallowed and smiled. “Yes, I'd say this could be a la
sting kind of relationship.”

  “Oh Elle. Thank you so much.” Dotty grinned like a schoolgirl expecting her date for the prom. “And I know the obstacle, it’s his twenty-year-old son. Bill is a widower and the boy is away at college and hasn’t decided if he likes me or not.”

  “Things will work out between you and the boy. He just needs time to realize that just because his mom passed away that his dad didn’t stop living.” Elle took a sip of her Diet Coke.

  “I didn't know you had a boyfriend,” Sara teased Dotty, giving Elle time to regroup.

  “Young lady, please keep that bit of information to yourself. I don't need any competition with this one. I'm kind of stuck on him.”

  “For you, Dotty, it's a deal. Mum’s the word. Nobody will hear it from me. My lips are sealed.”

  “I'll get your order,” Dotty said, “and it's on me, today.” She went off singing to herself as excited as a teenager on the night of the big dance.

  “They must have been making out in the back when we came in.” Sara blushed. “I feel bad about disturbing them.”

  “It wasn't our fault.” Elle laughed, feeling happy for her friend having someone in her life. “The cafe is open. We came in. That's all there is to it.”

  “Hi, girls.” Kole slid into a chair next to Elle.

  “Hey there, you made it.” Elle noticed he was dressed more appropriately in hiking boots, jeans and a T-shirt. With his haircut he didn’t look so much like he’d stepped out of the sixties. Much better, but to her dismay, there was that zing that crept up past her breastbone when she was around him.

  Dotty delivered the Cokes and fries, still smiling. “Kole, do you want anything?”

  “A Coke and fries. They look mighty tasty.” He was practically salivating over Elle's food.

  “Here, you can share mine till yours get here.” She pushed her plate toward him and he snagged a fry.

  “Coming right up.” Dotty waltzed off, taking care of business.

  “How are you doing?” He leaned forward, taking another fry.

  “Good.” She was ready to do battle. Then for a moment she let herself meet the intensity of his gaze. When he looked back something softened in her chest and the fight went out of her. No matter how upset she was with him, he had the ability to put her at ease.

  Dotty brought his drink which gave Elle a moment to compose herself. “We met the man who manages the High Mountain Array,” she continued. “He's agreed to give us a private tour of the place.”

  “A private tour. That'll be great.” Kole seemed overly excited, almost like a young child on Christmas morning.

  How odd. It was only the Array. But then again, it was his job and apparently he just wanted to take some awesome photos. She had to stop reading more into things. She hesitated for a heartbeat, mesmerized by the sparkle in his enigmatic blue eyes. “There's one thing you have to promise me.” She had to do this for Sara.

  “You're so serious. What's the matter?” he asked with a look of concern shimmering in his cool blue gaze. “Are you in a better mood, today?” he asked and took another fry.

  Elle frowned, remembering how upset she’d been the night before. “I wasn't in a bad mood last night. I was tired.”

  “It didn't appear that way to me.” A sideways grin made his eyes crinkle at the corners. “It seemed you got upset when we were talking about the possibility of aliens.”

  “That's your imagination.” She drew her thoughts back to the matter at hand. “Anyway, what I was getting to is that you can take all the pictures you want, but Sara and I don't do pictures. I mean we don't want to be in any pictures you take for the magazine.”

  “Why? You're beautiful women.” He let go of a French fry. “I can't see why you wouldn't want to be in my pictures.”

  “Let's say we're not photogenic and leave it at that.” Her look dared him to drop the subject.

  He glanced back to Sara. “I can't imagine you not being photogenic, but if that's the way you want it. I promise I won't take any pictures of either of you for the magazine.”

  “What kind of pictures are you planning on taking?” Sara asked.

  “I usually snap landscapes and wildlife. This Array is a new kind of subject for me. I was thinking about showcasing how it fits in with the natural surroundings. Rose told me it looks beautiful with the countryside.”

  “Yeah, it does blend in pretty good with the area. Will you need us to help you?” Sara asked.

  “No, just be my tour guides.” His gaze sought out Elle, which gave her another zing of pleasure. “By the way, Rose sent a large picnic basket full of food for us,” he said. “It’s enough to feed us and a dozen more.” He grinned. “I think it’s fantastic. I like the way she cooks.” He licked his lips in pleasure.

  “She didn’t have to do that, but I’m sure it won't go to waste,” Sara added.

  That’s for sure. He eats like he’s never had a decent meal. Elle watched him practically inhale her fries.

  “I decided you looked extra hungry.” Dotty placed a large platter of fries and a slice of apple pie in front of Kole.

  Elle couldn’t believe it, but he dove right in as if he hadn’t eaten a bite. The man was like a human garbage disposal. The way he ate he should weigh a ton, but there was nothing wrong with the way he looked. His weight was not an issue.

  “Thanks, Dotty.” He watched her hurry away.

  “She knows I can’t get enough of her apple pie.” He sat there munching his fries, thoroughly enjoying his food.

  “How long do you think it will take us to get out there?” He asked Elle in between bites.

  The man does like to eat. She wondered where he put all that food and stayed so thin. “About an hour or so. It's almost sixty miles from here, located in one of the prettiest high mountain valleys you’ve ever seen. You’ll get some good pictures, I’m sure of it.”

  “That’s cool. I can’t wait to get started. I have to have my equipment so you two can ride with me.” Kole swallowed the final morsel of apple pie as if it were his last supper and grinned.

  “Okay, let's get me to work.” He threw several dollars on the table as a tip for Dotty.

  Outside, Elle held the seat so Sara could climb in the back of the Jeep, letting her have the front. She knew Sara wouldn’t mind and besides she couldn’t help herself, she wanted to be next to Kole.

  “So that's how it is,” Sara teased Elle. “You’ve got a thing for Kole.”

  “Oh, hush. It's nothing. So what if I want to sit up front. You know I sometimes get carsick if I ride in the back seat too long and it’s a long way out there.” When she raised her head to see Kole filling up the gas tank she smiled as there was another rush of that . . . whatever across her chest. The man did affect her in strange ways.

  Chapter Six

  Sitting in the High Mountain Array cargo van across the street, Benny watched the black Jeep pull out of Bruce’s gas station and head out of town. He squinted his eyes to see better. One of these days he was going to have to break down and take the time to go and get some damn glasses. He sighed. His age was starting to catch up with him and he didn’t have time for this crap. He was so close to getting even with everybody in this pit of a town and having everything he ever wanted. He took a drag off his cigarette. “You know, Lee, I don’t like the idea of that kook, Herman, talking to the town psychic so much.” He knocked the ashes off his cigarette out the window. “I have a feeling we’re going to have to keep an eye on that situation and do something about him. He’s getting too far out there. Maybe we should pay him a visit just to remind him he’s not alone.” He puffed on his cigarette and then burst out in laughter. Then he started whistling the theme from The X Files.

  “Yeah, we could do that after work.” Lee slurped his drink and started speaking with his mouth full. “Are we gonna do it tonight?” he mumbled.

  Deep in thought, Benny took another long drag on his cigarette and stared after Kole’s Jeep. “Yeah. Be ready to go. We’ll
fly low over his house tonight if I can get the rotating lights to work right on the copter.” Benny laughed again. “Let’s scare the crap out of him. Did you see the look he gave us the other day at the cafe. I didn’t like that one bit.”

  “He’s a dickweed. Let’s do it,” said Lee.

  “And maybe we should pay that psychic a visit as well. I wonder if she’s afraid of the dark like most folks in this pock mark of a town.”

  “Nah, I doubt it. Being a psychic she can talk to ghosts and all that stuff.” Lee sipped his coke and munched on potato chips getting crumbs all up and down the front of his High Mountain Array work shirt. “She’s harmless, nobody pays much attention to her. Everybody thinks she’s a nutcase, too.” He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.

  “You might be right, but we have too much at stake to take any chances. After all, she is the sheriff’s daughter. We’ll keep an eye on her as well, just in case she’s the real deal and knows something.”

  He’d fought too long and too hard to let anything or anybody get in his way at this stage of the game. This hick town of Sweetwater, Colorado and the Array owed his family big time and he was making them all pay. Stealing the gold was just the beginning. Not being a man of many words, he let the subject of Elle drop. The only sound was Lee crunching his chips. He glanced in his direction. Sure, the man was a pig, but he was his pig. Not too bright, but he made up for it with his loyalty and brawn.

  In the gold mine he needed Lee’s strength. And besides all that, Lee was like putty in his hands, malleable if he should ever need him to do the dirty work. No way will I let that idiot Herman or that snip of a girl destroy all I’ve worked for. She’s just one more bug to squash. He tossed the stub out the window and drove out of the driveway and headed in the same direction as the black Jeep. He was curious to see where they were headed and followed at a safe distance always keeping a couple of car lengths between them. They didn’t have a clue that they were being followed.

  “Where do you think they’re going, Boss?” Lee crumbled his potato chip bag in a ball and tossed it out the window.